HIAA Members Set New Standards in Green Hydrogen Production: Expansion of the H2FUTURE Hydrogen Pilot Plant in Linz Starting in 2026
HIAA member companies voestalpine and VERBUND are demonstrating the pioneering character of Austria’s hydrogen industry: instead of waiting for suitable framework conditions, they are moving ahead consistently and expanding the H2FUTURE plant, which has been successfully operating since 2019 at the voestalpine site in Linz.
The investment of EUR 16.4 million underlines the goal of HIAA companies to create the foundations for a functioning hydrogen market through concrete projects. Preparatory measures for the plant expansion have already been underway for two years, and the facilities are currently being installed. Functional testing will begin in January 2026, with the first research results expected by the end of 2026. The project will conclude in December 2029.
Technical Expansion of a Pioneer Plant
The H2FUTURE facility is considered one of the world’s longest-running PEM electrolysis plants and has produced several hundred tonnes of green hydrogen since commissioning. The plant consists of twelve stacks, each with 50 electrolysis cells, and has a connected load of six megawatts. It can produce 1,200 cubic meters of green hydrogen per hour. The expansion includes a compression and purification unit, as well as five new hydrogen storage tanks with a total capacity of one tonne of hydrogen.
This infrastructure enables the full value chain from production and processing to loading. The H2FUTURE Follow-up project focuses on further developing hydrogen production under fluctuating conditions. The storage capacity balances production fluctuations and ensures a constant supply — a crucial building block for the industrial use of green hydrogen.
Partnership Approach Along the Value Chain
The project illustrates the partnership-based business model that is essential for the success of the hydrogen economy. voestalpine will use the hydrogen produced in further research projects, thereby advancing the transformation of steel production. As part of its greentec steel strategy, the company plans to operate green electricity-powered electric arc furnaces from 2027 at its sites in Linz and Donawitz. VERBUND is focusing on the technical optimization of hydrogen production, compression, and purification.
Contribution to the National Hydrogen Strategy
This initiative by HIAA members directly supports the implementation of the national hydrogen strategy and the development of a competitive hydrogen supply in Austria. The project demonstrates the practical feasibility of hydrogen technologies on an industrial scale and provides important insights for scaling up the technology.
The research project, which runs until December 2029, is expected to provide decisive momentum for Austria’s development into a hydrogen hub and strengthen the country’s position as a business location within Europe’s energy diversification efforts.